This looks like a lot of fun, and -- more importantly -- we actually know people with iPhones that we'll be able to play against. Which is why Apple (AAPL) could succeed where Microsoft's (MSFT) Zune tried and failed -- getting people to do stuff with their gadgets besides hiding them in their pockets.

Remember the big group-hug pitch behind the Zune? It was supposed to be better than the iPod because you could "squirt" music to your friends. "The Social" never worked -- in part because of restrictive music-sharing policies forced on Microsoft by the labels. But mostly because hardly anyone bought a Zune, let alone two people who know each other.

Which is too bad, because we think mobile gadgets make far more interesting social toys than, say, a Xbox that lets you play hockey with your cousin over the Internet. The iPhone app platform -- rolling out in a few weeks -- could change a lot.